5 Certifications Needed for a Cybersecurity Career

Jan. 22, 2018

The Cybersecurity and IT field finished 2018 with over 302,000 available job openings in the U.S. and that number is expected to hit over 500,000 by the end of 2019. Employers frequently look for certifications because it measures excellence and shows that you are capable of the job. These 5 certifications will make anyone stand out to employers and will help develop a deeper and better understanding of information security.

1. CASP

CASP or CompTIA Advanced Security Practitioner is an advanced certification and is highly respected in the cybersecurity industry. This course is designed for security practitioners who will be implementing new solutions and policy frameworks. The course covers essential topics such as risk management, enterprise security operations, and integration of enterprise security. Many organizations use CASP professionals such as Verizon, Dell, and the U.S. government. Like all the certifications in this list, CASP is also compliant and approved by the DoD and meets 8140/8570.01 requirements. For more information on CompTIA's click here.

2. CISSP

The CISSP or Certified Information Systems Security Professional certification is essential for anyone looking for a career in cybersecurity. This certification is widely recognized throughout the industry and provides excellent knowledge that can be used for other certifications. Those who earn the CISSP become decision-makers who possess the proper knowledge and training to be able to develop, guide, and manage security procedures within organizations. Jobs such as information security officer, security engineer, and information security analyst often require a CISSP certification. The average salary of someone who has the CISSP certification exceeds $100,000 and receive far more salary hikes than for any other certification in the IT field.

3. CEH

CEH or Certified Ethical Hacker is an intermediate level certification and is a must-have for an IT professional pursuing a career in ethical hacking. The CEH certification uses skills and techniques that are often used by hackers to identify vulnerabilities or weak points that a hacker could potentially expose in an organization. The average salary of someone with a CEH certification is $90,000 as of 2019 and is essential for jobs such as information security analyst, cyber security analyst, and security engineers.

4. CAP

CAP or Certified Authorization Professional is considered one of the top IT security credentials in the industry. This certification is created specifically for individuals who want to a career in government agencies or organizations. CAP has increased in popularity over the years because it can provide benefits to both government and commercial organizations. CAP uses a risk management framework and proves that candidates have the ability to outline risks and overall better risk management in an organization. Overall CAP is a robust and innovative training program that is designed to develop new skills. The average salary of a CAP professional 102,000 and is essential for jobs such as cyber security engineer, cyber security analyst, and information security analyst.

5. Security +

CompTIA’s Security + is well respected and is an entry-level certification and is essential for anyone who is looking to continue a career in cybersecurity. This certification proves that candidates possess superior technical skills and broad knowledge in many security-related disciplines. Security + also provides amazing information and knowledge that will be helpful in chasing other certifications such as CASP or CISSP. The average salary of someone with security + certification is 71,000 and is essential for jobs such as a systems administrator, network engineer, and information security analyst.